Love and war, p.68
Love and War, page 68
“And understand who truly is in power here,” Duvan snaps, his voice low, his tone deadly.
They have a silent standoff before Heath storms back into the house. Duvan releases me and points at me with the bat.
“Get in the car, tigress. If that bastard ever speaks to you like that again, I’m going bash his motherfucking head in with this bat. Got it, babe?”
I nod and smile at him. “Thank you.”
His smirk, which used to seem smug and asshole-ish, now seems to be one of his more endearing mannerisms. I find I’m beginning to like it.
That smirk means he knows he’ll win.
And when it comes to protecting me from Heath, I need him to win.
* * *
I run the hairbrush through my now short, wet hair and stare at my reflection. Duvan’s staying in a suite at some five-star hotel his dad owns just outside of San Diego. There’s an extra room in the sprawling suite that he’s offered me. The gesture came as a surprise to me. I’d expected Duvan to be villainous and cruel. Abusive maybe. Or that he’d try and force himself on me.
I never expected him to care.
“Dinner’s getting cold, tigress,” he calls out from the other side of the bathroom door.
“Uh, I’m coming!”
I shrug on the soft, plush white robe over my naked flesh and exit the bathroom. Duvan lies on his side wearing nothing but a pair of jeans. He’s laid our food out on trays on the bed. My eyes flit to his bare skin that’s marked up in beautiful ink. I never knew he had full sleeves on both arms and that his entire chest was covered with them. I’m still staring when he laughs at me.
“Dinner is over here,” he says pointing. “That’s all that’s on the menu. At least for tonight,” he says with another smirk, his eyes glittering.
Heat floods my cheeks and I roll my eyes. “I was just looking at your tattoos. I always wanted one.”
He sits up and lifts a brow. “Of what? Where?”
I shrug and sit on the bed careful not to flash him under my robe. His eyes skim over my bare thighs before he looks up at me.
“You don’t know much of anything, do you?” he questions.
Frowning, I flip him off and steal the roll from my plate. “I know I love bread. And mashed potatoes. And Earl Grey tea. I love gyros and cupcakes and steak. I love that red rope licorice you can only buy from real candy stores.” I love that last thing because it was something my dad and I shared when I was a kid. Something that Mom used to get grossed out over. We’d make a great show of smacking loudly as we ate an entire bag of it on the way home back from the mall.
“So, you like food. Your hips don’t lie, tigress. Do you know what makes you sad? Because you got all kinds of sad just now and I know it wasn’t because you’re craving red licorice.”
My heart skips a beat in my chest. “My dad—my real dad—and I would always get it to tease my mom. She hated that stuff.”
He takes the roll from my hand and butters it for me. When he hands it back, his brows are pinched together. “I miss my mother too. I get it, Brie.”
I take a big bite of my bread to keep from crying. We eat the rest of our meal in silence. Once he’s cleared away all the dishes and put them outside the door, he turns to regard me with his hands on his hips.
“Ready for your present?”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “Why are you being so nice to me? I didn’t imagine this was how it would all go down.”
He shrugs and saunters away to the closet. “I’m not always a bad guy, you know.” I can hear something rustling in the closet. When he reemerges, he’s carrying a bright pink birthday bag stuffed way too full of lighter pink tissue paper. It’s totally a man’s wrap job. I let out a giggle.
“Hey, I never claimed to be good at everything,” he says with a grumble and sets the bag down on the bed.
The smile on my face is genuine. For someone who doesn’t offer them a lot, you notice when you do. I sit down on the bed and he sits across from me, his eyes on mine as I pull out the million sheets of tissue. When they disappear, I dive my hand into the bag and pull out a slim white box.
“You bought me a MacBook Pro?” I say in astonishment. “Why?”
He laughs. “Most people would just say thank you.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Thank you, but why? It’s too expensive.”
“Nothing is too expensive for my family,” he scoffs. “Besides, I thought you might want a way to Skype with your friends. Might be easier with the computer.”
Sitting up on my knees, I lean forward and hug his neck. “Thank you. That means a lot to me.”
He pats my back. “And I also thought if you wanted to look up college courses and whatnot, it’d be much easier on that thing.”
I pull away from him, my face just inches from his, and frown. “You’ll let me go to college?”
His brows pinch together. “I told you I wasn’t your master, Brie. I want to help my father with his business. And I want to help you. Getting away from Heath will be the best thing that ever happened to you.”
Without thinking, I kiss his cheek. He smells clean and spicy and safe. “Thank you so much. But how did you know I wanted to go to college?”
He smirks and it warms me. “Oscar is good for some things, you know. Apparently, he’s full of useful information, even if I have to beat it out of him.”
I laugh. “You didn’t hurt him.”
His black irises twinkle with shards of purple in the brilliant hotel room lights. “Nah, he’s just a kid.”
When I bristle at his words—because Oscar is actually older than me—Duvan winces.
“You know what I mean. He’s my little brother. Anyway, since you two are friends, I thought maybe you could go to his college since we’ll be living in the same town.”
“I don’t know what to say,” I tell him in a shaky voice. In just one night, I’ve gone from feeling doomed to feeling hopeful.
“Just say you won’t fuck my brother.” His growl is possessive, and a shiver quakes through me. “He’s been into you from day one, tigress.”
“I’m not interested in your brother that way, but…” I knit my brows together in confusion. “I thought you said we could still see other people.”
The hope that had been blooming in my chest comes crashing to the ground when he scowls.
“Other people. Not my brother.” His tone is no nonsense.
“But Ren?”
“The lawn boy?”
Heat burns my cheeks and I start to pull away. He palms my cheeks, looking me straight in the eye. “Is he your friend?”
Technically, yes. And more. “Yeah.”
“Does he make you happy?”
“Absolutely.”
“Then, tigress, see him all you want. Just come home to me at the end of the day. We have an image to uphold.” He winks at me.
Guilt floods through me that I’ve just asked my future husband if I can still have a boyfriend. But Duvan and I were both groomed for this marriage. Both pushed into something that wasn’t our plan.
“Are you going to open your other present?” he questions with a grin that now makes me happy.
I reach into the bag and pull out a terribly wrapped package. When I open it and notice it’s a DVD, I flit my gaze to him in question. “A movie?”
But when I flip it over, I notice it’s not just any movie. It’s THE movie. THE movie I used to always watch with my dad. THE link to my childhood and my past.
“How did you know?” I wobble out.
The cover is a blur, but I know it’s The Breakfast Club. I’ve watched this movie a thousand times with Daddy. He’s defended Judd Nelson’s character John Bender countless times stating bad boys are cool, but would go on to affirm that I would never be allowed to date one.
I look up at one of the baddest boys I know.
Amusement is no longer coloring his features, though. He looks worried and nervous and unsure. On Saturday I would be old enough to date, and I’m not only dating a bad boy, but I’m also marrying one.
What would Daddy think of that?
“It was a guess,” he says softly. “Did I guess right?”
I can’t find the words and simply nod. “H-How?”
The smirk is back. “Let’s just say on the many times you tried to avoid us when we came to visit, you’d blare that godawful song by Simple Minds.”
“Don’t You (Forget About Me),” I say with a laugh. “And it’s the best song ever.”
“It didn’t take rocket science to think maybe just maybe you’d be into it.” He shrugs. “Plus, by the way you would always tease Vienna about being a modern-day Molly Ringwald, I put two and two together. I’m older than you, you know. I’m familiar with that era. Most chicks your age don’t know shit about the eighties.”
I laugh. “I’m an old soul then. It really is the best, you know.”
He holds his hand out to me. “Want to watch it together and then I can make a better deduction afterward?”
With a burst of happiness surging through me, I climb off the bed and hurry over to the television. Ten minutes later, we’re settled on the couch, and I’m reciting the movie word for word. Just like old times. Just like when I had a home and when I was happy. When I risk a glance at Duvan, he’s simply staring at me.
I give him a thankful smile and curl up into his side, basking in the momentary peace that he’s provided us.
And I wonder, is happiness finally a possibility for me?
CHAPTER FIVE
Ren
“I cannot believe we have Hannah’s kid, a kid she had with Mom’s psycho rapist, living in our house,” Calder says in astonishment as he pushes the grocery cart down the diaper aisle.
“She has a name, asswipe.”
He shrugs as he looks at the list Mom gave us. “Toni. Yep, got it. Named after he-who-shall-not-be-named,” he deadpans.
I whap him upside the head and snag some Pull-Ups off the shelf. Mom said Toni should be potty-trained by now and was on a mission to be the one to teach her. Her grandchild hasn’t even been here for two days, and she’s already in possessive grandma mode. Hell, Dad hasn’t even been home yet to meet my niece and she’s already a part of our household. He wasn’t pleased that Gabe showed up but he’s looking forward to seeing Toni.
“How’s it going with your girlfriend anyway? You made her your girlfriend, right? Or are you still pussyfooting around?” he asks over his shoulder as he pushes the cart.
“She’s my girlfriend,” I tell him with a growl.
“So, you fucked her.”
I kick him in his ass and he laughs.
“What? You wouldn’t be getting all shitty unless you fucked her. Does she know she’s fucking the brother of the crazy ass woman who killed her mom?” This time, he takes off running with the cart, so I don’t hurt him again.
When I catch him, I snap, “She doesn’t know. Nor will she ever find out.”
He turns and raises his hands up in defense. “Dude, I’m not going to tell her.”
“Have you told Vee?”
A flash of anger morphs his otherwise chill face into a scowl. “I’m not talking to Vee.”
“Why not?”
“She’s not fucking interested. I’m not going to chase her around when she’s wet for another guy.”
An old lady passing by gasps at my brother’s crude language.
“Whatever, man,” I grunt.
“Do Mom and Dad know you’re fucking Gabe’s daughter? Wait, does that like make her your niece since he’s fucking our sister?” He stops to scratch his head as if he’s trying to figure it out.
“Calder, shut the fuck up,” I grumble. “Of course they don’t know and don’t be disgusting.”
He shrugs. “Me? I’m not the one mixing bodily fluids within the family tree, bro,” he chuckles, clearly amusing himself.
I stop the cart and glare at him.
“Maybe you ought to come clean, man.”
“I can’t.”
“Why the hell not? I like Brie. She’s cool as shit. Not at all the type to not forgive you over something lame.”
But it’s not lame.
Our entire relationship was forged from lies.
“I just can’t, okay? She’s dealing with some heavy shit right now. I have to find a way to help her.”
He turns down the cereal aisle and starts tossing in random boxes of cereal. Mom and Dad gave up on trying to make my brother eat healthy long ago. If he weren’t a runner, he’d be a chunky fuck. Luckily, he has good genes and he isn’t opposed to exercise.
“Where are you taking her tonight?” he asks.
“Dinner and a movie. I even booked a hotel room.”
He snorts. “A way to a woman’s heart is not through her pussy, dumbass.”
The same old lady is coming down the aisle and utters that we need Jesus.
“I just want to spend some time with her alone and then I’ll figure out a way to keep her,” I tell him in exasperation.
He levels a hard glare at me. “You can’t keep her. She’s not a stray dog, Ren.”
I pinch the bridge of my nose and exhale in frustration. “You know what I mean.”
“You should probably just back out before it’s too late.”
“But they’re going to marry her off into a criminal family!”
Calder stops to check out some chocolate covered granola bars. “And you want to get in the middle of that?” He doesn’t even look at me. “Is she in danger?”
I think back to the texts we exchanged earlier. Her future fiancé was cool with our arrangement to see each other and had taken her in. Something had gone down between her and Heath, but she wouldn’t say what—just that it was ugly. She said the guy, Duvan, was being nice and keeping her safe. I was jealous, but her safety and happiness overshadowed the twinge of green in my mind.
“Nah, she’s with Duvan.”
“Who the hell is Duvan?” he asks and stands back up. My brother isn’t as solid as I am, but he’s slightly taller than me.
“Her fiancé.”
Calder starts laughing so hard, people pass by the cereal aisle just so they can glare at us.
“What?” I snap.
He doubles over and holds his belly while I fume. “You know this whole ordeal is super fucked up, right?”
“Whatever. Let’s get out of here. Can’t fucking take you anywhere. I’m taking my girl out while you get to help babysit an equally fucked-up situation.”
His grumbled response lets me know I got him.
“Oh,” I say as I toss some animal crackers from an end cap into the cart, “Speaking of bodily fluids, I hope Mom goes into labor while I’m out with Brie and that you have to witness every horrifying second all by yourself.”
When he gags behind me, I let out a snort of laughter, thankful that I didn’t get Dad’s sensitive gag reflex.
* * *
She’s been way too quiet.
Contemplative.
Somber.
“Are you having regrets? About having sex with me?” I blurt out as we pull out of the restaurant.
“What? No,” she says and grabs hold of my hand. “I’m sorry if I’m all over the place. Just been a long couple of days. Where are we going?”
I glance over to her and give her a wicked smile. “I’m taking you to a hotel so I can give you your real birthday present.” When I waggle my eyebrows at her, she giggles. The sound is sweet music to my ears.
“And here I thought my necklace was my real present.” She fingers the silver chain. It’s simple but pretty. A silver crown and the letter B. I’d debated between a G and a B. When she opened it and thanked me, I was overjoyed to know I chose well. Apparently, Heath calls her Gabriella and she’s grown to loathe her own name.
The drive to the hotel isn’t long and when we pull into the parking lot, she climbs over the center console to straddle me. My dick immediately responds to having her so close. When I took her virginity, it was fucking bliss. I’m dying to be inside her again.
“I’m almost free,” she murmurs as her mouth crashes against mine. Her fingertips skitter over my shirt and up my chest sending ripples of anticipation pulsating through me. When she starts grinding against me, I lose it and grab her ass hard.
What I don’t expect is for her to cry out in excruciating pain.
“What the hell, Brie? Are you hurt?”
She whimpers and shakes her head. “It’s nothing.”
“The hell it ain’t!”
With a huff, she yanks at the door handle and climbs out. I scramble out after her.
She rounds the front of the car and lets out a weary sigh. “Ren, it’s nothing.”
My jaw clenches and I shake my head as I approach. “Don’t lie to me.”
But you’re lying to her…
Guilt softens her features, and she tugs at her bottom lip with her teeth. “It was Heath. The night we had sex, afterward…he was waiting up for me. He knew I’d been with you—knew your name and everything. Vee has been upset with me. I think she must have told him.”
I tangle my fingers in her sexy-as-fuck short hair and crash my lips to hers. My kiss spills all the secrets I can’t verbally say. God, I hope she understands. When we both pull away and are winded from our needy kiss, I lean my forehead against hers.
“What did that motherfucker do to you?”
She swallows and lifts her chin, meeting my gaze firmly. “He whipped my ass with a belt.”
I don’t think I have ever been spanked in my entire life. Hannah got Mom’s hand a few times when she’d do something really bad in public but never Calder or me. Dad never once spanked us. My mind has trouble comprehending how a grown ass man would spank an almost eighteen-year-old woman. “He hit you?”
Her brows furrow with anger. She turns around and lifts her dress. Out here in the parking lot, anyone can see but neither of us seem to care. I kneel behind her and tug her panties down slightly over the bottom of her cheeks. What I see causes me to explode with rage.
“THAT MOTHERFUCKER!”
Dark purple marks paint her flesh like some fucked-up piece of artwork. In some places, the bruises are actually scabbed over. He hurt her. He fucking hurt her.
